(Photo credit score: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images)
Japan’s Naomi Osaka was glad to get by way of her first-round match on the U.S. Open in New York late Monday evening for each sporting and enterprise causes.
The tennis star/clothier will now get to unveil one other look within the second spherical.
Osaka, the event’s thirteenth seed, outlasted Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) in a contest that ended after midnight native time.
At the beginning of the match, Osaka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium carrying an Allen Iverson-inspired hoodie and a cornrows coiffure.
‘It’s my, I suppose, my tribute to Iverson. I actually like him lots,’ Osaka mentioned, referring to former NBA star Allen Iverson.
Referencing a request from her attire accomplice, Osaka added, ‘Nike mentioned basketball, so I mentioned, ‘OK, you need basketball, I’ll provide you with basketball.”
As for the tight outcome towards Zakharova, Osaka mentioned in her post-match interview on court docket, ‘I simply get actually nervous throughout this primary spherical of this event, as a result of I need to do nicely, and I need to present you (followers) some extra outfits.’
Iverson later responded on Instagram, writing, ‘Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN cannot wait to satisfy you. @naomiosaka’
Osaka, a four-time main champion, was damaged whereas serving for each units, however she recovered to take each tiebreakers. She served 10 of her 11 aces within the second set.
‘I imply, I’d say it took every part, you understand?’ Osaka mentioned following the match on court docket. ‘Thank you (followers) for staying and watching. … I imply, I do not know what time it’s, so thanks for staying. I’m positive it is actually late, and I’m simply actually grateful to have the ability to play on this court docket once more.’
Osaka, 28, hasn’t gained a WTA-level event since coming back from maternity go away in 2024. Her second-round opponent would be the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova, who defeated Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.
–Field Level Media